Frame generation apparatus, frame generation method, image synthesis apparatus, image synthesis method, signal generation apparatus, signal generation method, and image transmission system

ABSTRACT

[Object] In a case where a video signal is divided and transmitted from a transmitter to a receiver via a plurality of transmission paths, the power consumption required by at least either one of the transmitter and the receiver is reduced. [Solution] Provided is a frame generation apparatus including: an image division section configured to divide a video signal into high-order bits and low-order bits for each pixel element; a frame generation section configured to generate a first frame including the high-order bits and a second frame including the low-order bits; and a transmission operation control section configured to cause an operation of a transmission section of transmitting the second frame to a receiver to stop in a case where information regarding the receiver is prescribed information.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a frame generation apparatus, a framegeneration method, an image synthesis apparatus, an image synthesismethod, a signal generation apparatus, a signal generation method, andan image transmission system.

BACKGROUND ART

These days, the amount of information of a video signal is dramaticallyimproved, and an ultra-high resolution, ultra-high gradation basebandvideo signal is coming into wide use. For example, Super Hi-Vision, inwhich the number of effective pixels is 7680×4320 and the number of bitsof each pixel element (R, G, or B, or Y, Cb, or Cr) of one pixel is 10or 12, is promoted. Further, also further expansion of the dynamic rangeof a video image in the future is studied as seen in HDR, and it is alsoexpected that a video signal in which the number of bits of each pixelelement of one pixel is more than 12 (for example, the number of bits ofeach pixel element of one pixel is 16 or 24) will be handled.

For example, as a technology to transmit an ultra-high gradation videosignal, a technology in which an ultra-high gradation video signal istransmitted using a plurality of 3G-SDI transmission paths is disclosed(for example, see Patent Literature 1). This Patent Literature 1proposes, in a case where the number of bits of each pixel element is16, dividing each pixel element into high-order 8 bits and low-order 8bits and transmitting the high-order 8 bits and the low-order 8 bitswhile assigning these bits to different SG-SDI transmission paths. Areception apparatus receives these divided high-order 8 bits andlow-order 8 bits using a plurality of transmission paths, synthesizesthe pixel element divided in the high-order 8 bits and the low-order 8bits, and reproduces an ultra-high gradation video signal.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: JP 2015-019182A

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

However, there may be a case where an ultra-high gradation video imageis not handled by a receiver. As an example, there may be a case wheretablet devices, mobile devices, and the like, of which the frequency ofuse is expected to continue to increase, cannot handle an ultra-highgradation video image, due to limitations on their throughput and powerconsumption, etc. Further, as another example, there may be a case wherea video signal that a receiver displays does not need a considerableamount of information, in terms of the properties of the receiver. If,even in such a case, ultra-high gradation video images continue to betransmitted as they are or ultra-high gradation video images continue tobe received as they are, wasteful power consumption is required.

Thus, it is desired to provide a technology by which, in a case where avideo signal is divided and transmitted from a transmitter to a receivervia a plurality of transmission paths, the power consumption required byat least either one of the transmitter and the receiver can be reduced.

Solution to Problem

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a framegeneration apparatus including: an image division section configured todivide a video signal into high-order bits and low-order bits for eachpixel element; a frame generation section configured to generate a firstframe including the high-order bits and a second frame including thelow-order bits; and a transmission operation control section configuredto cause an operation of a transmission section of transmitting thesecond frame to a receiver to stop in a case where information regardingthe receiver is prescribed information.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a framegeneration method including: dividing a video signal into high-orderbits and low-order bits for each pixel element; generating a first frameincluding the high-order bits and a second frame including the low-orderbits; and causing an operation of a transmission section of transmittingthe second frame to a receiver to stop in a case where informationregarding the receiver is prescribed information.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided an imagesynthesis apparatus including: a pixel extraction section configured toextract high-order bits and low-order bits from, respectively, a firstframe and a second frame including, respectively, the high-order bitsand the low-order bits that are obtained by a video signal to bereceived by a receiver being divided for each pixel element in a casewhere the first frame and the second frame are received from atransmitter; an image synthesis section configured to synthesize thehigh-order bits and the low-order bits to restore the video signal; anda reception operation control section configured to make control so asto stop an operation of a reception section of receiving the secondframe from the transmitter in a case where information regarding thereceiver is prescribed information.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided an imagesynthesis method including: extracting high-order bits and low-orderbits from, respectively, a first frame and a second frame including,respectively, the high-order bits and the low-order bits that areobtained by a video signal to be received by a receiver being dividedfor each pixel element in a case where the first frame and the secondframe are received from a transmitter; an image synthesis sectionconfigured to synthesize the high-order bits and the low-order bits torestore the video signal; and making control so as to stop an operationof a reception section of receiving the second frame from thetransmitter in a case where information regarding the receiver isprescribed information.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a signalgeneration apparatus including: a pixel extraction section configured toextract high-order bits from a first frame including the high-order bitsthat are obtained by a video signal to be received by a receiver beingdivided for each pixel element in a case where the first frame isreceived from a transmitter; and a signal generation section configuredto generate a video signal with a smaller size than the video signal ona basis of the high-order bits.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided an imagetransmission system including: a frame generation apparatus including animage division section configured to divide a video signal intohigh-order bits and low-order bits for each pixel element, a framegeneration section configured to generate a first frame including thehigh-order bits and a second frame including the low-order bits, and atransmission operation control section configured to cause an operationof a transmission section of transmitting the second frame to a receiverto stop in a case where information regarding the receiver is prescribedinformation; and an image synthesis apparatus including a pixelextraction section configured to extract the high-order bits and thelow-order bits from the first frame and the second frame, respectively,in a case where the first frame and the second frame are received from atransmitter, an image synthesis section configured to synthesize thehigh-order bits and the low-order bits to restore the video signal, anda reception operation control section configured to make control so asto stop an operation of a reception section of receiving the secondframe from the transmitter in a case where information regarding thereceiver is prescribed information.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

As described above, according to the present disclosure, a technology bywhich, in a case where a video signal is divided and transmitted from atransmitter to a receiver via a plurality of transmission paths, thepower consumption required by at least either one of the transmitter andthe receiver can be reduced is provided. Note that the effects describedabove are not necessarily limitative. With or in the place of the aboveeffects, there may be achieved any one of the effects described in thisspecification or other effects that may be grasped from thisspecification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configurational example of an ordinarysystem that transmits an ultra-high gradation video signal.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an imagetransmission system according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a video signal according tothe embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing an example of a technique of dividinga video signal into high-order bits and low-order bits for each pixelelement (R, G, or B).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configurational example of a frame (afirst frame and a second frame) generated by a frame generation section.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing an example of a technique ofsynthesizing high-order bits and low-order bits for each pixel element(R, G, or B) to restore a video signal.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of amodification example of the image transmission system.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, (a) preferred embodiment(s) of the present disclosure willbe described in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Notethat, in this specification and the appended drawings, structuralelements that have substantially the same function and structure aredenoted with the same reference numerals, and repeated explanation ofthese structural elements is omitted.

Further, in the present specification and the drawings, a plurality ofcomponents having substantially the same functional configuration aredistinguished by marking different numerals after the same referencecharacter. However, in a case where it is not necessary to particularlydistinguish each of a plurality of components having substantially thesame functional configuration and the like, they are marked with onlythe same reference character. Further, like components of differentembodiments are distinguished by marking different alphabet lettersafter the same reference character.

Note that the description is given in the following order.

1. Background

2. Configurational example of image transmission system

3. Conclusions 1. BACKGROUND

First, the background of the present embodiment is described. Thesedays, the amount of information of a video signal is dramaticallyimproved, and an ultra-high resolution, ultra-high gradation basebandvideo signal is coming into wide use. For example, Super Hi-Vision, inwhich the number of effective pixels is 7680×4320 and the number of bitsof each pixel element (R, G, or B, or Y, Cb, or Cr) of one pixel is 10or 12, is promoted. Further, also further expansion of the dynamic rangeof a video image in the future is studied as seen in HDR, and it is alsoexpected that a video signal in which the number of bits of each pixelelement of one pixel is more than 12 (for example, the number of bits ofeach pixel element of one pixel is 16 or 24) will be handled.

For example, as a technology to transmit an ultra-high gradation videosignal, a technology in which an ultra-high gradation video signal istransmitted using a plurality of 3G-SDI transmission paths is disclosed(for example, see JP 2015-019182A). FIG. 1 is a diagram showing aconfigurational example of an ordinary system that transmits anultra-high gradation video signal. As shown in FIG. 1, the ordinarysystem that transmits an ultra-high gradation video signal includes atransmitter 80 and a receiver 90, and the transmitter 80 includes animage generation section 801, an image division section 802, a 3G-SDItransmission section 803, and a 3G-SDI transmission section 804.Further, the receiver 90 includes a 3G-SDI reception section 903, a3G-SDI reception section 904, an image synthesis section 902, and animage display section 901.

In the transmitter 80, the image generation section 801 generates avideo signal in which the number of bits of each pixel element is 16.The image division section 802 divides each pixel element of the videosignal into high-order 8 bits and low-order 8 bits. The 3G-SDItransmission section 803 transmits the high-order 8 bits to the receiver90, and the 3G-SDI transmission section 804 transmits the low-order 8bits to the receiver 90. Subsequently, in the receiver 90, the 3G-SDIreception section 903 receives the high-order 8 bits and the 3G-SDIreception section 904 receives the low-order 8 bits, the image synthesissection 902 synthesizes the high-order 8 bits and the low-order 8 bitsto restore an ultra-high gradation video signal, and the image displaysection 901 reproduces and displays the ultra-high gradation videosignal.

However, there may be a case where an ultra-high gradation video imageis not handled by the receiver 90. As an example, there may be a casewhere tablet devices, mobile devices, and the like, of which thefrequency of use is expected to continue to increase, cannot handle anultra-high gradation video images, due to limitations on theirthroughput and power consumption, etc. Further, as another example,there may be a case where a video signal that the receiver 90 displaysdoes not need a considerable amount of information, in terms of theproperties of the receiver 90. If, even in such a case, ultra-highgradation video images continue to be transmitted as they are orultra-high gradation video images continue to be received as they are,wasteful power consumption is required.

Thus, the present specification mainly proposes a technology by which,in a case where a video signal is divided and transmitted from thetransmitter 80 to the receiver 90 via a plurality of transmission paths,the power consumption required by at least either one of the transmitter80 and the receiver 90 can be reduced. Note that, in the presentspecification, an ultra-high gradation video image is envisaged as thevideo signal transmitted from the transmitter 80 to the receiver 90, anda case where the number of bits of each pixel element is more than orequal to 16 and less than or equal to 24 is envisaged. However, thenumber of bits of each pixel element is not particularly limited.

Hereinabove, the background of the present embodiment is described.

2. CONFIGURATIONAL EXAMPLE OF IMAGE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM

Next, a configurational example of an image transmission system isdescribed with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing anexample of the configuration of an image transmission system accordingto the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, an image transmissionsystem 1A according to the present embodiment includes a transmitter 10and a receiver 20A. The transmitter 10 and the receiver 20A areconnected together via a cable 30. The cable 30 includes a plurality oftransmission paths. Note that the transmitter 10 can function as a“frame generation apparatus.” Further, the receiver 20A can function asan “image synthesis apparatus.”

The transmitter 10 includes an image generation section 101, an imagedivision section 102, a frame generation section 103, a transmissionsection 104, a transmission section 105, a transmission operationcontrol section 106, and a device information reception section 107. Theimage generation section 101 generates a video signal. Note that,although FIG. 2 shows an example in which the image generation section101 is incorporated in the transmitter 10, the image generation section101 may exist outside the transmitter 10.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a video signal according tothe present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the number of pixels in thehorizontal direction in a video signal Im10 is denoted by n, and thenumber of lines in the vertical direction in the video signal Im10 isdenoted by m. That is, the pixel number in the horizontal direction inthe video signal Im10 is set to integers of 0 to n−1, and the linenumber in the vertical direction in the video signal Im10 is set tointegers of 0 to m−1.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, each pixel of the video signal Im10includes pixel elements (R, G, and B) or pixel elements (Y, Cb, and Cr),and the number of bits of each pixel element is L (16≤L≤24). In thefollowing, a case where each pixel of the video signal Im10 includes thepixel elements (R, G, and B) is mainly described. However, each pixel ofthe video signal Im10 is not limited to the pixel elements (R, G, andB), and may be the pixel elements (Y, Cb, and Cr).

The image division section 102 divides the video signal Im10 intohigh-order bits and low-order bits for each pixel element (R, G, or B).It is sufficient that the high-order bits have minimum data capable ofbearing viewing in a case of being used for display, and the number ofhigh-order bits is not particularly limited. Further, the low-order bitsare the bits other than the high-order bits of the pixel element. Aspecific example will now be described with reference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing an example of a technique of dividingthe video signal Im10 into high-order bits and low-order bits for eachpixel element (R, G, or B). The image division section 102 outputshigh-order 12 bits of each pixel element (R, G, or B) (a total of 36bits) to the frame generation section 103. On the other hand, the imagedivision section 102 outputs low-order bits of each pixel element (R, G,or B) to the frame generation section 103. In this event, in a casewhere there is a set of low-order bits that does not reach 12 bits, theimage division section 102 puts in 0 until reaching 12 bits, and outputsa set of low-order bits that has reached 12 bits to the frame generationsection 103.

The frame generation section 103 generates a first frame including thehigh-order bits and a second frame including the low-order bits. FIG. 5is a diagram showing a configurational example of a frame (the firstframe and the second frame) generated by the frame generation section103. In FIG. 5, the whole of the N-th frame is shown as the N-th (Nbeing an integer more than or equal to 0) frame, and a part of theN+1-th frame is shown as the N+1-th frame.

The frame generation section 103 generates a first frame that includes,in order, the high-order bits (12 bits) of each pixel element of thefront-end line of the video signal Im10 (the 0th line in the videosignal Im10), the high-order bits (12 bits) of each pixel element of thefirst line of the video signal Im10 (the 1st line in the video signalIm10), and the high-order bits (12 bits) of each pixel element of thelines following the above lines.

Further, the frame generation section 103 generates a second frame thatincludes, in order, the low-order bits (12 bits) of each pixel elementof the front-end line of the video signal Im10 (the 0th line in thevideo signal Im10), the low-order bits (12 bits) of each pixel elementof the first line of the video signal Im10 (the 1st line in the videosignal Im10), and the low-order bits (12 bits) of each pixel element ofthe lines following the above lines.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the frame generation section 103 marks aframe start identifier (SYNC) on the head of the frame (the first frameand the second frame). Any one of prescribed codes at least not existingin the video signal (hereinafter, occasionally referred to as “specialdata”) is assigned to the frame start identifier. For example, thespecial data depend on the encoding of data transmitted and receivedthrough a transmission path 301 and a transmission path 302. Forexample, in a case where ANSI 8b/10b conversion is used for the encodingof data transmitted and received through the transmission path 301 andthe transmission path 302, a K code may be assigned to the special data.For example, data in which a K code called K28.5 (0xBC) appearsconsecutively N bytes may be assigned to the frame start identifier.

Further, a blanking section exists on the rear side of each line. Here,among the special data, special data different from the special dataassigned to the frame start identifier are assigned to the blankingsection.

Note that the frame generation section 103 may perform encoding on theframe (the first frame and the second frame). Specifically, the framegeneration section 103 may perform 8b/10b encoding on the frame (thefirst frame and the second frame). For example, the frame generationsection 103 may substitute the frame start identifier of the frame (thefirst frame and the second frame) with corresponding special data,substitute the blanking section with corresponding special data, andsubstitute data other than these with 10-bit-based data. Further, theframe generation section 103 may convert the encoded frame from paralleldata to serial data in order to change the frame to a form suitable forhigh-speed transmission.

Further, although the example shown in FIG. 2 shows an example in whichthe generation of the first frame and the generation of the second frameare performed in the same frame generation section 103, the generationof the first frame and the generation of the second frame may beperformed in different frame generation sections 103.

The transmission section 104 transmits the first frame to the receiver20A via the cable 30. More specifically, the transmission section 104transmits the first frame to the receiver 20A via the transmission path301. For example, in a case where the transmission path 301 includes anoptical fiber, the transmission section 104 transmits the first frame tothe receiver 20A via the transmission path 301 after converting thefirst frame to an optical signal. However, the type of the signaltransmitted from the transmitter 10 to the receiver 20A via thetransmission path 301 is not limited. For example, the transmissionsection 104 may transmit the first frame to the receiver 20A via thetransmission path 301 by means of an electrical signal.

Further, the transmission section 105 transmits the second frame to thereceiver 20A via the cable 30. More specifically, the transmissionsection 105 transmits the second frame to the receiver 20A via thetransmission path 302. For example, in a case where the transmissionpath 302 includes an optical fiber, the transmission section 105transmits the second frame to the receiver 20A via the transmission path302 after converting the second frame to an optical signal. However, thetype of the signal transmitted from the transmitter 10 to the receiver20A via the transmission path 301 is not limited. For example, thetransmission section 105 may transmit the second frame to the receiver20A via the transmission path 302 by means of an electrical signal.

The device information reception section 107 receives informationregarding the receiver 20A from the receiver 20A via a transmission path303. Then, in a case where the information regarding the receiver 20A isprescribed information, the transmission operation control section 106causes the operation of the transmission section 105 of transmitting thesecond frame to the receiver 20A to stop. By such a configuration, theoperation of the transmission section 105 is stopped in the case wherethe information regarding the receiver 20A is the prescribedinformation; thus, it becomes possible to reduce the power consumptionrequired by the transmitter 10. On the other hand, in a case where theinformation regarding the receiver 20A is not the prescribedinformation, the operation of the transmission section 105 oftransmitting the second frame to the receiver 20A is allowed tocontinue.

Here, in a case where the transmission path 303 includes an opticalfiber, the device information reception section 107 receives, from thereceiver 20A via the transmission path 303, information regarding thereceiver 20A after being converted to an optical signal. However, thetype of the signal transmitted from the receiver 20A to the transmitter10 via the transmission path 303 is not limited. For example, the deviceinformation reception section 107 may receive the information regardingthe receiver 20A from the transmitter 10 via the transmission path 303by means of an electrical signal.

Further, the information regarding the receiver 20A is not particularlylimited. For example, the information regarding the receiver 20A mayinclude at least either one of a state of the receiver 20A and afunction of the receiver 20A. For example, the information regarding thereceiver 20A includes a state of the receiver 20A; and in a case wherethe state of the receiver 20A is a prescribed state, the transmissionoperation control section 106 may cause the operation of thetransmission section 105 of transmitting the second frame to stop. Theprescribed state is not limited as long as it is a state not using thelow-order bits in the receiver 20A, and may be a low electric powermode.

Alternatively, the information regarding the receiver 20A includes afunction of the receiver 20A; and in a case where the function of thereceiver 20A is a prescribed function, the transmission operationcontrol section 106 may cause the operation of the transmission section105 of transmitting the second frame to stop. The prescribed function isnot limited as long as it is a function not using the low-order bits inthe receiver 20A, and may be a function of the number of receivable bitsbeing below a threshold, may be a function of the number of connectabletransmission paths being below a threshold, may be a function of being amobile terminal, or may be a function of not having an ultra-highgradation mode.

Note that herein an example in which the transmission operation controlsection 106 causes the operation of the transmission section 105 oftransmitting the second frame to the receiver 20A to stop in the casewhere the information regarding the receiver 20A is prescribedinformation is described. However, in the case where the informationregarding the receiver 20A is prescribed information, the transmissionoperation control section 106 may control the frame generation section103 so as to stop the generation of the second frame, instead of causingthe operation of the transmission section 105 to stop, or in addition tocausing the operation of the transmission section 105 to stop. By such aconfiguration, the operation of the frame generation section 103 islessened in the case where the information regarding the receiver 20A isprescribed information; thus, it becomes possible to reduce the powerconsumption required by the transmitter 10.

The receiver 20A includes a reception section 204, a reception section205, a reception operation control section 206, a device informationtransmission section 207, a pixel extraction section 203A, a multiplexer208, an image synthesis section 202, and an image display section 201.

The reception section 204 receives the first frame via the cable 30.More specifically, the reception section 204 receives the first framevia the transmission path 301. For example, in a case where thetransmission path 301 includes an optical fiber, the reception section204 receives the light of the first frame that is transmitted by anoptical signal from the transmitter 10, and converts the light to anelectrical signal. However, as mentioned above, the type of the signaltransmitted from the transmitter 10 to the receiver 20A via thetransmission path 301 is not limited. For example, the reception section204 may receive the first frame from the transmitter 10 via thetransmission path 301 by means of an electrical signal.

The reception section 205 receives the second frame via the cable 30.More specifically, the reception section 205 receives the second frametransmitted from the transmission section 105, via the transmission path302. For example, in a case where the transmission path 302 includes anoptical fiber, the reception section 205 receives the light of thesecond frame that is transmitted by an optical signal from thetransmitter 10, and converts the light to an electrical signal. However,as mentioned above, the type of the signal transmitted from thetransmitter 10 to the receiver 20A via the transmission path 302 is notlimited. For example, the reception section 205 may receive the secondframe from the transmitter 10 via the transmission path 302 by means ofan electrical signal.

In a case where the information regarding the receiver 20A is theprescribed information described above, the reception operation controlsection 206 makes control so as to stop the operation of the receptionsection 205 of receiving the second frame from the transmitter 10. Bysuch a configuration, the operation of the reception section 205 isstopped in the case where the information regarding the receiver 20A isthe prescribed information; thus, it becomes possible to reduce thepower consumption required by the receiver 20A. On the other hand, in acase where the information regarding the receiver 20A is not theprescribed information, the operation of the reception section 205 ofreceiving the second frame from the transmitter 10 is allowed tocontinue.

The device information transmission section 207 transmits informationregarding the receiver 20A to the transmitter 10 via the transmissionpath 303. Here, in a case where the transmission path 303 includes anoptical fiber, the device information transmission section 207 convertsthe information regarding the receiver 20A to an optical signal, andtransmits the optical signal to the transmitter 10 via the transmissionpath 303. However, the type of the signal transmitted from the receiver20A to the transmitter 10 via the transmission path 303 is not limited.For example, the device information transmission section 207 maytransmit the information regarding the receiver 20A to the transmitter10 via the transmission path 303 by means of an electrical signal.

The pixel extraction section 203A extracts the high-order bits of eachpixel element from the first frame received by the reception section204. This will now be specifically described with reference to FIG. 5.Before extracting the high-order bits of each pixel element from thefirst frame, the pixel extraction section 203A may convert the firstframe from serial data to parallel data, and may decode the first frameconverted to parallel data. Specifically, the pixel extraction section203A may perform 8b/10b decoding on the first frame.

For example, the pixel extraction section 203A may substitute, of thefirst frame, the special data corresponding to the frame startidentifier with the frame start identifier, and substitute the specialdata corresponding to the blanking section with the blanking section. Onthe other hand, the pixel extraction section 203A may substitute alsothe remaining data of the first frame with 8-bit-based data.

Subsequently, the pixel extraction section 203A detects the frame startidentifier (SYNC) from the first frame. Since the frame start identifieris marked on the head of the first frame, the pixel extraction section203A may extract the high-order bits of each pixel element from thefirst frame on the basis of the position of the frame start identifier.More specifically, if the pixel extraction section 203A has grasped therelative position of the high-order bits of each pixel element withrespect to the position of the frame start identifier as a reference,the pixel extraction section 203A may extract the high-order bits ofeach pixel element on the basis of this relative position.

Similarly, the pixel extraction section 203A extracts the low-order bitsof each pixel element from the second frame received by the receptionsection 205. This will now be specifically described with reference toFIG. 5. Before extracting the low-order bits of each pixel element fromthe second frame, the pixel extraction section 203A may convert thesecond frame from serial data to parallel data, and may decode thesecond frame converted to parallel data. Specifically, the pixelextraction section 203A may perform 8b/10b decoding on the second frame.

For example, the pixel extraction section 203A may substitute, of thesecond frame, the special data corresponding to the frame startidentifier with the frame start identifier, and substitute the specialdata corresponding to the blanking section with the blanking section. Onthe other hand, the pixel extraction section 203A may substitute alsothe remaining data of the second frame with 8-bit-based data.

Subsequently, the pixel extraction section 203A detects the frame startidentifier (SYNC) from the second frame. Since the frame startidentifier is marked on the head of the second frame, the pixelextraction section 203A may extract the low-order bits of each pixelelement from the second frame on the basis of the position of the framestart identifier. More specifically, if the pixel extraction section203A has grasped the relative position of the low-order bits of eachpixel element with respect to the position of the frame start identifieras a reference, the pixel extraction section 203A may extract thelow-order bits of each pixel element on the basis of this relativeposition.

Note that in the above an example in which the reception operationcontrol section 206 causes the operation of the reception section 205 ofreceiving the second frame from the transmitter 10 to stop in the casewhere the information regarding the receiver 20A is prescribedinformation is described. However, in the case where the informationregarding the receiver 20A is prescribed information, the receptionoperation control section 206 may control the pixel extraction section203A so as to stop the extraction of the low-order bits of each pixelelement, instead of causing the operation of the reception section 205to stop, or in addition to causing the operation of the receptionsection 205 to stop. By such a configuration, the operation of the pixelextraction section 203A is lessened in the case where the informationregarding the receiver 20A is prescribed information; thus, it becomespossible to reduce the power consumption required by the receiver 20A.

Further, although the example shown in FIG. 2 shows an example in whichthe extraction of the high-order bits of each pixel element and theextraction of the low-order bits of each pixel element are performed inthe same pixel extraction section 203A, the extraction of the high-orderbits of each pixel element and the extraction of the low-order bits ofeach pixel element may be performed in different pixel extractionsections 203A.

In a case where the information regarding the receiver 20A inputted fromthe reception operation control section 206 is prescribed information,the multiplexer 208 outputs “0” to the image synthesis section 202. Onthe other hand, in a case where the information regarding the receiver20A inputted from the reception operation control section 206 is not theprescribed information, the multiplexer 208 outputs the low-order bitsof each pixel element extracted by the pixel extraction section 203A tothe image synthesis section 202.

The image synthesis section 202 synthesizes the high-order bits of eachpixel element and the low-order bits of each pixel element to restorethe video signal Im10. FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing an example ofa technique of synthesizing the high-order bits and the low-order bitsfor each pixel element (R, G, or B) to restore the video signal Im10.

As shown in FIG. 6, in a case where the low-order bits of each pixelelement (R, G, or B) are inputted from the multiplexer 208, the imagesynthesis section 202 synthesizes the high-order 12 bits of each pixelelement (R, G, or B) (a total of 36 bits) and the low-order bits of eachpixel element (R, G, or B) (a total of 36 bits), and outputs the result.The signal outputted in this event is, for example, a signal having thehigh-order bits and the low-order bits (an ultra-high gradation videosignal).

On the other hand, in a case where “0” is inputted from the multiplexer208, the image synthesis section 202 synthesizes the high-order 12 bitsof each pixel element (R, G, or B) (a total of 36 bits) and “0,” andoutputs the result. The signal outputted in this event is a signalhaving only the high-order bits (a normal gradation video signal).

The image display section 201 displays a video image on the basis of asignal outputted from the image synthesis section 202. Specifically, theimage display section 201 reproduces a signal outputted from the imagesynthesis section 202, and displays a video image. The image displaysection 201 may be, for example, display devices such as a liquidcrystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), an organicelectro-luminescence (EL) display, and a projector, and the like. Notethat, although FIG. 2 shows an example in which the image displaysection 201 is incorporated in the receiver 20A, the image displaysection 201 may exist outside the receiver 20A.

3. CONCLUSIONS

As described hereinabove, according to the present embodiment, the framegeneration apparatus 10 including the image division section 102, theframe generation section 103, and the transmission operation controlsection 106 is provided. Here, the image division section 102 divides avideo signal into high-order bits and low-order bits for each pixelelement. Further, the frame generation section 103 generates the firstframe including the high-order bits and the second frame including thelow-order bits. Then, in a case where the information regarding thereceiver 20A is prescribed information, the transmission operationcontrol section 106 causes the operation of the transmission section 105of transmitting the second frame to the receiver 20A to stop.

By such a configuration, the operation of the transmission section 105is stopped in the case where the information regarding the receiver 20Ais prescribed information; thus, it becomes possible to reduce the powerconsumption required by the transmitter 10.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the image synthesisapparatus 20A including the pixel extraction section 203A, the imagesynthesis section 202, and the reception operation control section 206is provided. Here, a case where the first frame and the second frameincluding, respectively, high-order bits and low-order bits that areobtained by a video signal to be received by the receiver 20A beingdivided for each pixel element are received from the transmitter 10 isenvisaged. In such a case, the pixel extraction section 203A extractsthe high-order bits and the low-order bits from the first frame and thesecond frame, respectively. Further, the image synthesis section 202synthesizes the high-order bits and the low-order bits to restore thevideo signal. Then, in a case where the information regarding thereceiver 20A is prescribed information, the reception operation controlsection 206 makes control so as to stop the operation of the receptionsection 205 of receiving the second frame from the transmitter 10.

By such a configuration, the operation of the reception section 205 isstopped in the case where the information regarding the receiver 20A isprescribed information; thus, it becomes possible to reduce the powerconsumption required by the receiver 20A.

The preferred embodiment(s) of the present disclosure has/have beendescribed above with reference to the accompanying drawings, whilst thepresent disclosure is not limited to the above examples. A personskilled in the art may find various alterations and modifications withinthe scope of the appended claims, and it should be understood that theywill naturally come under the technical scope of the present disclosure.

For example, in the above, the receiver 20A including both of thereception section 204 and the reception section 205 is described. Then,an example in which the pixel extraction section 203A extracts thehigh-order bits of each pixel element from the first frame received bythe reception section 204 and extracts the low-order bits of each pixelelement from the second frame received by the reception section 205, andthe image synthesis section 202 synthesizes the high-order bits and thelow-order bits to restore the video signal is described. However, thereceiver 20A may not include the reception section 204, may not includethe multiplexer 208, and may not have partial functions of the pixelextraction section 203A.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of amodification example of the image transmission system. As shown in FIG.7, an image transmission system 1B according to the modification exampleincludes a receiver 20B in place of the receiver 20A, and the receiver20B does not include the reception section 205, includes a pixelextraction section 203B in place of the pixel extraction section 203A,and includes a signal generation section 209 in place of the imagesynthesis section 202. The receiver 20B can function as a “signalgeneration apparatus.”

The pixel extraction section 203B extracts the high-order bits of eachpixel element from the first frame, but the second frame is not inputtedto the pixel extraction section 203B. The pixel extraction section 203Boutputs “0” instead of the low-order bits of each pixel element to thesignal generation section 209. The signal generation section 209generates a video signal with a smaller size than the video signal Im10on the basis of the high-order bits of each pixel element extracted bythe pixel extraction section 203B.

In the receiver 20B, the reception section 205 does not exist, andfurthermore the function of the pixel extraction section 203B is madesmaller than the function of the pixel extraction section 203A; thus, areduction in power consumption is achieved. Furthermore, theconfiguration of the receiver 20B is made simpler than the configurationof the receiver 20A; thus, the receiver 20B can be manufactured at alower cost than the receiver 20A.

Further, for example, each of the image generation section 101, theimage division section 102, the frame generation section 103, and thetransmission operation control section 106 may be mounted on a separateintegrated circuit (IC), or a combination of any two or more of thesemay be mounted on the same IC. Further, for example, each of themultiplexer 208, the reception operation control section 206, the pixelextraction section 203A (or the pixel extraction section 203B), and theimage synthesis section 202 (or the signal generation section 209) maybe mounted on a separate IC, or a combination of any two or more ofthese may be mounted on the same IC.

Further, the effects described in this specification are merelyillustrative or exemplified effects, and are not limitative. That is,with or in the place of the above effects, the technology according tothe present disclosure may achieve other effects that are clear to thoseskilled in the art from the description of this specification.

Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below.

(1)

A frame generation apparatus including: an image division sectionconfigured to divide a video signal into high-order bits and low-orderbits for each pixel element;

a frame generation section configured to generate a first frameincluding the high-order bits and a second frame including the low-orderbits; and

a transmission operation control section configured to cause anoperation of a transmission section of transmitting the second frame toa receiver to stop in a case where information regarding the receiver isprescribed information.

(2)

The frame generation apparatus according to (1),

in which the information regarding the receiver includes at least eitherone of a state of the receiver and a function of the receiver.

(3)

The frame generation apparatus according to (2),

in which the information regarding the receiver includes a state of thereceiver, and

the transmission operation control section causes the operation of thetransmission section of transmitting the second frame to stop in a casewhere the state of the receiver is a prescribed state.

(4)

The frame generation apparatus according to (2),

in which the information regarding the receiver includes a function ofthe receiver, and

the transmission operation control section causes the operation of thetransmission section of transmitting the second frame to stop in a casewhere the function of the receiver is a prescribed function.

(5)

The frame generation apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4),

in which the transmission operation control section controls the framegeneration section so as to stop generation of the second frame in thecase where the information regarding the receiver is the prescribedinformation.

(6)

The frame generation apparatus according to any one of (1) to (5),including: a device information reception section configured to receivethe information regarding the receiver from the receiver.

(7)

The frame generation apparatus according to any one of (1) to (6),

in which the frame generation section marks a frame start identifier ona head of each of the first frame and the second frame.

(8)

The frame generation apparatus according to any one of (1) to (7),including:

a first transmission section configured to transmit the first frame; and

a second transmission section configured to transmit the second frame.

(9)

A frame generation method including:

dividing a video signal into high-order bits and low-order bits for eachpixel element;

generating a first frame including the high-order bits and a secondframe including the low-order bits; and

causing an operation of a transmission section of transmitting thesecond frame to a receiver to stop in a case where information regardingthe receiver is prescribed information.

(10)

An image synthesis apparatus including:

a pixel extraction section configured to extract high-order bits andlow-order bits from, respectively, a first frame and a second frameincluding, respectively, the high-order bits and the low-order bits thatare obtained by a video signal to be received by a receiver beingdivided for each pixel element in a case where the first frame and thesecond frame are received from a transmitter;

an image synthesis section configured to synthesize the high-order bitsand the low-order bits to restore the video signal; and

a reception operation control section configured to make control so asto stop an operation of a reception section of receiving the secondframe from the transmitter in a case where information regarding thereceiver is prescribed information.

(11)

The image synthesis apparatus according to (10),

in which the information regarding the receiver includes at least eitherone of a state of the receiver and a function of the receiver.

(12)

The image synthesis apparatus according to (11),

in which the information regarding the receiver includes a state of thereceiver, and

the reception operation control section causes the operation of thereception section of receiving the second frame to stop in a case wherethe state of the receiver is a prescribed state.

(13)

The image synthesis apparatus according to (11),

in which the information regarding the receiver includes a function ofthe receiver, and

the reception operation control section causes the operation of thereception section of receiving the second frame to stop in a case wherethe function of the receiver is a prescribed function.

(14)

The image synthesis apparatus according to any one of (10) to (13),

in which the reception operation control section controls the pixelextraction section so as to stop extraction of the high-order bits andthe low-order bits in the case where the information regarding thereceiver is the prescribed information.

(15)

The image synthesis apparatus according to any one of (10) to (14),including:

a device information transmission section configured to transmit theinformation regarding the receiver to the transmitter.

(16)

The image synthesis apparatus according to any one of (10) to (15),

in which the pixel extraction section extracts the high-order bits andthe low-order bits on a basis of positions of frame start identifiersmarked on heads of the first frame and the second frame, respectively.

(17)

The image synthesis apparatus according to any one of (10) to (16),including:

a second reception section configured to receive the first frame; and

a second reception section configured to receive the second frame.

(18)

An image synthesis method including:

extracting high-order bits and low-order bits from, respectively, afirst frame and a second frame including, respectively, the high-orderbits and the low-order bits that are obtained by a video signal to bereceived by a receiver being divided for each pixel element in a casewhere the first frame and the second frame are received from atransmitter;

an image synthesis section configured to synthesize the high-order bitsand the low-order bits to restore the video signal; and

making control so as to stop an operation of a reception section ofreceiving the second frame from the transmitter in a case whereinformation regarding the receiver is prescribed information.

(19)

A signal generation apparatus including:

a pixel extraction section configured to extract high-order bits from afirst frame including the high-order bits that are obtained by a videosignal to be received by a receiver being divided for each pixel elementin a case where the first frame is received from a transmitter; and

a signal generation section configured to generate a video signal with asmaller size than the video signal on a basis of the high-order bits.

(20)

An image transmission system including:

a frame generation apparatus including

-   -   an image division section configured to divide a video signal        into high-order bits and low-order bits for each pixel element,    -   a frame generation section configured to generate a first frame        including the high-order bits and a second frame including the        low-order bits, and    -   a transmission operation control section configured to cause an        operation of a transmission section of transmitting the second        frame to a receiver to stop in a case where information        regarding the receiver is prescribed information; and

an image synthesis apparatus including

-   -   a pixel extraction section configured to extract the high-order        bits and the low-order bits from the first frame and the second        frame, respectively, in a case where the first frame and the        second frame are received from a transmitter,    -   an image synthesis section configured to synthesize the        high-order bits and the low-order bits to restore the video        signal, and    -   a reception operation control section configured to make control        so as to stop an operation of a reception section of receiving        the second frame from the transmitter in a case where        information regarding the receiver is prescribed information.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1A, 1B image transmission system-   10 transmitter (frame generation apparatus)-   20A receiver (image synthesis apparatus)-   20B receiver (signal generation apparatus)-   101 image generation section-   102 image division section-   103 frame generation section-   104 transmission section-   105 transmission section-   106 transmission operation control section-   107 device information reception section-   201 image display section-   202 image synthesis section-   203A, 203B pixel extraction section-   204 reception section-   205 reception section-   206 reception operation control section-   207 device information transmission section-   208 multiplexer-   209 signal generation section-   30 cable-   301 transmission path-   302 transmission path-   303 transmission path-   Im10 video signal

1. A frame generation apparatus comprising: an image division sectionconfigured to divide a video signal into high-order bits and low-orderbits for each pixel element; a frame generation section configured togenerate a first frame including the high-order bits and a second frameincluding the low-order bits; and a transmission operation controlsection configured to cause an operation of a transmission section oftransmitting the second frame to a receiver to stop in a case whereinformation regarding the receiver is prescribed information.
 2. Theframe generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the informationregarding the receiver includes at least either one of a state of thereceiver and a function of the receiver.
 3. The frame generationapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information regarding thereceiver includes a state of the receiver, and the transmissionoperation control section causes the operation of the transmissionsection of transmitting the second frame to stop in a case where thestate of the receiver is a prescribed state.
 4. The frame generationapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information regarding thereceiver includes a function of the receiver, and the transmissionoperation control section causes the operation of the transmissionsection of transmitting the second frame to stop in a case where thefunction of the receiver is a prescribed function.
 5. The framegeneration apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmissionoperation control section controls the frame generation section so as tostop generation of the second frame in the case where the informationregarding the receiver is the prescribed information.
 6. The framegeneration apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: a deviceinformation reception section configured to receive the informationregarding the receiver from the receiver.
 7. The frame generationapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frame generation sectionmarks a frame start identifier on a head of each of the first frame andthe second frame.
 8. The frame generation apparatus according to claim1, comprising: a first transmission section configured to transmit thefirst frame; and a second transmission section configured to transmitthe second frame.
 9. A frame generation method comprising: dividing avideo signal into high-order bits and low-order bits for each pixelelement; generating a first frame including the high-order bits and asecond frame including the low-order bits; and causing an operation of atransmission section of transmitting the second frame to a receiver tostop in a case where information regarding the receiver is prescribedinformation.
 10. An image synthesis apparatus comprising: a pixelextraction section configured to extract high-order bits and low-orderbits from, respectively, a first frame and a second frame including,respectively, the high-order bits and the low-order bits that areobtained by a video signal to be received by a receiver being dividedfor each pixel element in a case where the first frame and the secondframe are received from a transmitter; an image synthesis sectionconfigured to synthesize the high-order bits and the low-order bits torestore the video signal; and a reception operation control sectionconfigured to make control so as to stop an operation of a receptionsection of receiving the second frame from the transmitter in a casewhere information regarding the receiver is prescribed information. 11.The image synthesis apparatus according to claim 10, wherein theinformation regarding the receiver includes at least either one of astate of the receiver and a function of the receiver.
 12. The imagesynthesis apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the informationregarding the receiver includes a state of the receiver, and thereception operation control section causes the operation of thereception section of receiving the second frame to stop in a case wherethe state of the receiver is a prescribed state.
 13. The image synthesisapparatus according to claim 11, wherein the information regarding thereceiver includes a function of the receiver, and the receptionoperation control section causes the operation of the reception sectionof receiving the second frame to stop in a case where the function ofthe receiver is a prescribed function.
 14. The image synthesis apparatusaccording to claim 10, wherein the reception operation control sectioncontrols the pixel extraction section so as to stop extraction of thehigh-order bits and the low-order bits in the case where the informationregarding the receiver is the prescribed information.
 15. The imagesynthesis apparatus according to claim 10, comprising: a deviceinformation transmission section configured to transmit the informationregarding the receiver to the transmitter.
 16. The image synthesisapparatus according to claim 10, wherein the pixel extraction sectionextracts the high-order bits and the low-order bits on a basis ofpositions of frame start identifiers marked on heads of the first frameand the second frame, respectively.
 17. The image synthesis apparatusaccording to claim 10, comprising: a second reception section configuredto receive the first frame; and a second reception section configured toreceive the second frame.
 18. An image synthesis method comprising:extracting high-order bits and low-order bits from, respectively, afirst frame and a second frame including, respectively, the high-orderbits and the low-order bits that are obtained by a video signal to bereceived by a receiver being divided for each pixel element in a casewhere the first frame and the second frame are received from atransmitter; an image synthesis section configured to synthesize thehigh-order bits and the low-order bits to restore the video signal; andmaking control so as to stop an operation of a reception section ofreceiving the second frame from the transmitter in a case whereinformation regarding the receiver is prescribed information.
 19. Asignal generation apparatus comprising: a pixel extraction sectionconfigured to extract high-order bits from a first frame including thehigh-order bits that are obtained by a video signal to be received by areceiver being divided for each pixel element in a case where the firstframe is received from a transmitter; and a signal generation sectionconfigured to generate a video signal with a smaller size than the videosignal on a basis of the high-order bits.
 20. An image transmissionsystem comprising: a frame generation apparatus including an imagedivision section configured to divide a video signal into high-orderbits and low-order bits for each pixel element, a frame generationsection configured to generate a first frame including the high-orderbits and a second frame including the low-order bits, and a transmissionoperation control section configured to cause an operation of atransmission section of transmitting the second frame to a receiver tostop in a case where information regarding the receiver is prescribedinformation; and an image synthesis apparatus including a pixelextraction section configured to extract the high-order bits and thelow-order bits from the first frame and the second frame, respectively,in a case where the first frame and the second frame are received from atransmitter, an image synthesis section configured to synthesize thehigh-order bits and the low-order bits to restore the video signal, anda reception operation control section configured to make control so asto stop an operation of a reception section of receiving the secondframe from the transmitter in a case where information regarding thereceiver is prescribed information.